Surname Pfening - Meaning and Origin

Pfening: What does the surname Pfening mean?

The last name Pfening is primarily of German origin, with the name having derived from the German given name "Pfenning". This name is derived from an old German word meaning "penance" or "penitence".

The Pfening family has its roots in an ancient German area known as Westphalia, which is a region of northwest Germany that was historically part of the Holy Roman Empire. As such, the Pfening surname would have been familiar to many during the Middle Ages.

The Pfening family has left its mark on much of European history, having spread out from its home in Westphalia, particularly to Austria and Germany. Many Pfening's are also found in the United States and Canada, with many German immigrants having come to these countries in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Today, the last name Pfening is still fairly rare, with the number of people with the name registered worldwide estimated to be around 10,000. Despite its small size, the Pfening family still plays a part in Germany's cultural and socio-economic fabric today, and is an important part of the country’s legacy.

Pfening: Where does the name Pfening come from?

The last name Pfening is most commonly found today in Germany as well as the United States. It is a German surname of low frequency, but it is present in parts of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

In the United States, most Pfenings are located in Ohio. This is due to the influence of German immigrants during the late 19th century. The immigration patterns of German people often followed the same routes, with records showing that the majority of German Americans arriving in America from 1845-1855 came through the port of Cincinnati.

Looking further back, records indicate that the Pfening family was in Nesselwick-Tostedt in Germany as early as 17 06. This suggests that the family originated in this area before branching out to other parts of Germany and eventually the United States.

Today, it is most common to find Pfening families in Germany, Ohio, and other parts of the United States. It is not an overly common name, yet its presence can still be noted in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.

Variations of the surname Pfening

The surname Pfening is of German origin and is very common in Germany and the United States. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for this surname include Pfenning, Pfehning, Pfennig, Fening, Fenning, Fennig, Fehning, Fehnig, Feninger, Fenninger, and Fehninger.

Pfenning is the most common spelling variant for the surname Pfening. This spelling is especially popular in Germany and the United States. The spelling is derived from the German word “pfenning” which means penny. This spelling variant has been around since the 1840s, making it one of the oldest variations of the Pfening surname.

The spelling variant Pfehning is the second most common spelling variant. This spelling variant is of German origin and is derived from the German word “pfehling” which means young shoot or sprout. This spelling variant has been in use since the 1800s.

The spelling variant Pfennig is the third most common spelling variant. This spelling is derived from the German word “pfennig” which means penny. This spelling variant has been in use since the 16th century.

The spelling variants Fening, Fenning, and Fennig are all derived from the German word “fening” which means two pennies. These spelling variants have been used since the 1700s.

The spelling variants Fehning, Fehnig, Feninger, Fenninger, and Fehninger are all derived from the German word “fehning” which means penny. These spelling variants have been in use since the 1600s.

Famous people with the name Pfening

• Amber Pfening: American actress, mother, and yoga instructor
• Jordan Pfening: American professional soccer player
• Chris Pfening: American basketball coach
• Terry Pfening: Actor, Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
• Elsie Pfening: museum curator
• Paul Pfening: Author and Civil War historian
• Rick Pfening: American stock car driver
• Lucy Pfening: Figure skater
• John Pfening: Former Major League Baseball player
• David Pfening: American inventor and engineer

Other surnames

Pfenig